Ribbon-cutting opens Pride Centre on the Ottawa campus
Posted on Thursday, November 24th, 2016
The Algonquin Students’ Association Pride Centre opened Wednesday morning with a ribbon-cutting attended by about 60 people and a cupcake reception in the bright new space.
The centre, located in B102 and facing the Horticulture Centre, is a safe, open, non-discriminatory space for all Algonquin College students. It will offer peer support, resources, education and more.
Students’ Association President Egor Evseev thanked all who worked to bring the Pride Centre into being, and said it fit with the mission of the SA to create a college environment that leads to student success.
“We want everybody to be a part of this community,” he said. “This, of course, includes our LGBT family.”
She said the Pride Centre lets everyone know that the College supports the LGBT community, and takes it one step further, offering a space where friends, understanding and support can be found.
“I want to stress that Algonquin College is committed to creating a culture in which diversity and equality of opportunity are promoted, and I want us to continue building an environment that values diversity,” she said. “The Pride Centre helps us achieve that goal, and I want to congratulate everyone who’s worked so hard to make this safe space a reality.”
During Pride Week in March 2016, Cheryl and former SA president Sara Grainger released a joint video announcing the project. Cheryl said that the initiative had the College’s full support, and that the College was working to help the SA open the centre this fall.
After the ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, those gathered moved from the hallway into the centre, where there were refreshments — including the aforementioned cupcakes — and a chance to mingle and chat.
Quinn Blue, the new centre’s co-ordinator, was beaming and very happy to be welcoming the whole community to the centre.
“I’m delighted that everyone is here celebrating the centre,” said Blue. “We are so excited to be a part of this, and I think it is incredible. I’m happy for the students.”
The Pride Centre is open Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photo: Cheryl, left, Pride Centre co-ordinator Quinn Blue, centre, and SA President Egor Evseev, right.
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